When you walk to the intersection of Meiji Avenue and Omotesando in Harajuku, you will definitely see this landmark building with a cylindrical exterior called “Laforet“. This is a must-visit shopping mall for Japanese girls in Harajuku who want to find the latest trendy fashion items. The 13-story department store has hundreds of brands, including many niche brands from Japanese designers. Many of the latest Instagram-worthy snacks and beverage shops are also located here. So, what are the best places to visit? Let’s take a look!
Where is Laforet Harajuku located?
- Address: 1-11-6 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Business hours: 11:00~20:00
- Official website
Laforet Harajuku is located at the intersection of Meiji Avenue and Omotesando. It is a 5-minute walk from JR “Harajuku Station” and Chiyoda Line “Meiji Jingu-mae Station”.
Read More: Things To Do In Harajuku: Kawaii Costumes, Colorful Street Food, Culture, and More
【2F】Good Meal Market
The first stop is the “Good Meal Market” on the 2nd floor, which is a gathering place for young people in Tokyo to queue up for snacks.
NONARA PEARL
From being popular before the pandemic to still having to queue up after, “NONARA PEARL (ノナラパール),” a bubble tea shop that Sakura loves, is a new generation of Instagram-worthy spots with its pink color scheme and cute cats. However, the bubble tea itself is on the harder side and has a different taste from what Taiwanese people would prefer.
Guzman y Gomez
“Guzman y Gomez”, a top fast food restaurant from Australia that sells Mexican cuisine, is currently a popular queueing store at “Laforet Harajuku”. The popular dish here is the healthy and delicious burrito, which is handmade on the spot. The ordering process involves first selecting from seven types of tortillas, including burritos and Mexican tortillas, and then freely combining your favorite ingredients from seven types of fillings.
MILK MILK MILK！(ミルクミルクミルク！)
This shop that looks super Instagram-worthy is “MILK MILK MILK!”, a shop that specializes in making desserts using high-fat Hokkaido milk. Their desserts are made with high-quality milk, with a rich and creamy texture and a very pure taste.
The desserts in the store are presented in milk bottles or cups, with a nostalgic and cute style that is perfect for taking photos. The store offers a variety of food options, such as handmade rich and creamy milk pudding and tiramisu.
Tokyo Trendy Fashion Store
On other floors, Laforet gathers about 140 stores of various sizes, from basement 1.5 to ground 5, with each floor separated by 0.5 floors, which is quite unique.
Laforet’s customer base is young girls in junior high and high school, representing the Harajuku pop culture. It offers popular brands such as “HUMAN MADE,” Japan-exclusive “Red Label Vivienne Westwood,” select shops “GR8” and “Laichi,” Urban Research’s minimalist and youthful “KBF,” and the world’s first Sailor Moon merchandise store “Sailor Moon Store.”
LAFORET GRAND BAZAR Massive Sale Event
I was deeply impressed by my first visit to Laforet with Piao Er. I happened to be there during the “LAFORET GRAND BAZAR,” a large-scale sale event held every July and January. As soon as I walked into Laforet, young girls in every store were shouting at the top of their lungs, promoting their shops as the cheapest. This kind of energy was truly shocking, and every store in the department store was almost crowded with people. However, the styles and various matching items were complete, and clothing was discounted to as low as 70% off. You just have to endure the market-like shouting, which is rare in Tokyo, and it is an annual feast for young people.
【Summary】Laforet Harajuku, a vibrant fashion sanctuary
Laforet Harajuku is a shopping mall that embodies the vibrant Harajuku style, located outside of Takeshita Street. Since its opening in 1978, it has remained a steadfast presence, continuously leading the trends of the younger generation. If you want to experience the energy of Harajuku and the fashion trends of Tokyo’s youth, this is the place to be.
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